Is emotional manipulation and preying on others' insecurities always bad?

[FrankieFrank]

I honestly think not always. I think these are just methods and are not inherently evil by themselves. It depends on your goal.

 

For example, if you know your partner is insecure about sth, you may want to make them feel better about it and maybe more connected to you. How does it in principle differs from if it was some smooth player who spotted the same insecurity, catered to it, made a person feel better long enough to sleep with them, then disappeared?

 

As I see, in both cases same thing is done. It's the intention that's different.

 

Or am I missing something?

[Under The Radar]

Didn't even read the post ......

 

The short and long term answer to the thread title is: Yes, it's always bad.

[xxoo]

Showing care because you care vs. faking care because you want to gain something

 

Yes, it's bad.

[FrankieFrank]

Showing care because you care vs. faking care because you want to gain something

 

Yes, it's bad.

 

But the whole point is in both cases exactly the same thing is done. Only intention is different.

 

So you could manipulate others with good inentions (because you care) and you can manipulate others for your own gain without care for others.

 

Act of manipulation itself doesn't seem the problem here, only end goal.

[xxoo]

But the whole point is in both cases exactly the same thing is done. Only intention is different.

 

So you could manipulate others with good inentions (because you care) and you can manipulate others for your own gain without care for others.

 

Act of manipulation itself doesn't seem the problem here, only end goal.

 

This is semantics. Manipulation implies an end goal of personal benefit. Care does not.